Archive · 21 Nov 2025
BLO Deaths Spark Concerns Over SIR Work Pressure
Some people in charge of updating voter lists (BLOs) in different states have died from stress and overwork.
The West Bengal chief minister said the process is poorly planned and asked for it to be stopped.
People are now asking who is responsible for this.
At least six Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died in four states since November, allegedly due to work pressure
A school teacher in Gujarat died of a heart attack after being assigned BLO duties
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, calling it 'unplanned' and 'coercive'
Mamata alleged that the exercise has reached an 'alarming' and 'dangerous' stage, with BLOs facing immense pressure
Congress raised questions about institutional accountability following the BLO deaths
- Who
- Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, and Rajasthan, Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal) and the Election Commission of India (ECI)
- What
- Criticized and reviewed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for updating voter lists
- When
- November 2022
- Where
- West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, and Rajasthan, India
- Why
- To update and revise electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections
Mamata Banerjee's Stance
Election Commission of India (ECI)
SIR Process
Mamata Banerjee's Stance
Unplanned, chaotic, dangerous, and coercive
Election Commission of India (ECI)
Comprehensive training provided to BLOs, examining Mamata's letter, may deploy additional officers
- SIR Launch Date
- November 4, 2022
- States/UTs Covered
- 12 states and union territories
- BLOs Involved in Gujarat
- Nearly 50,963
- Voters to be Mapped in Gujarat
- 5.08 crore
- Number of BLO Deaths
- At least six
Sources
'BLOs Operating Beyond Human Limits': Mamata Banerjee To Poll Body Chief
Bengal SIR showdown: Mamata calls exercise ‘unplanned and coercive’, says worker died of ‘work pressure’
Gujarat school principal working as BLO dies of heart attack from excessive ‘workload’, Education Department looking into death
Rajasthan: Lecturer on SIR duty dies after chest pain, family alleges work pressure
Rajasthan Electoral Roll Supervisor Dies After Chest Pain, Family Alleges Work Pressure
2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'
Life of BLO in times of SIR: A daily marathon of doorbells, drama and data chaos
BLO succumbs to heart attack in Gujarat, kin claim ‘excessive work pressure’
In Gujarat, BLO dies by suicide; note says ‘overburdened by SIR work’
